BASIC BABY MOVEMENTS MAY EASE CHRONIC LOWER BACK PAIN

It turns out the path to easing chronic lower back pain might not start in the gym at all. It could start on the floor.

New research from the University of South Australia suggests that relearning basic “baby” movements such as crawling, rolling and squatting can reduce pain, improve balance and restore confidence in how people move.

The findings come from a 12-week pilot study of people living with chronic non-specific lower back pain, trialling a movement-based program called Motum.

From the floor up

Developed in Adelaide by physiotherapists, Motum uses ground-based movements to retrain fundamental movement patterns and rebuild body awareness.

Delivered face-to-face, the program combines progressive functional exercises with simple education about pain and movement. It is designed to be safe, adaptable and achievable for all participants.

The first four weeks focus on rolling, crawling, kneeling and other floor-based movements to rebuild essential motor control.

From there, participants progress into more complex movements, guided by physiotherapists who tailor the exercises to individual ability.

UniSA research finds crawling, rolling, and squatting could help Australians move with less pain

Why does movement fear make back pain worse

Lead researcher and UniSA PhD candidate Alice Farmer says many people with back pain become trapped in a cycle of fear and avoidance.

“Lower back pain does not discriminate. It affects people of all ages, from all backgrounds. But the common response is the same: people start avoiding certain movements because they fear making things worse,” Farmer says.

“We often see people change how they move, or stop moving altogether, which can compound the problem and increase the risk of long-term disability.

“While exercise is one of the safest and most cost-effective treatments, many people find traditional programs intimidating or not suited to their needs. Motum was designed to change that.”

A global problem with a massive price tag

Lower back pain affects more than 600 million people worldwide and is the leading cause of years lived with disability. In Australia alone, it costs the healthcare system more than $4.8 billion each year.

Against that backdrop, the Motum results are generating early optimism.

Participants reported improvements not just in pain, but in balance, confidence and everyday movement.

“The build-up from basic movements at the start through to more complex and loaded movements at the end felt achievable. “There’s enormous value in the real-time corrections.

The instructor checked in and adjusted things, so it worked for everyone. “I don’t worry about hurting my back later. Everything we learnt, I apply daily.

“It taught me to move more mindfully, and why that matters.”

A promising new pathway for chronic pain

Co-researcher at UniSA, Dr Jacinta Brinsley, says the early signs suggest programs like Motum could become a valuable addition to chronic pain care.

“For people with persistent back pain, programs that focus on fundamental movement and motor control, not just strength or endurance, may offer a genuinely promising pathway out of pain,” Dr Brinsley says.

Chronic pain is complex, but engagement is everything.

If people don’t enjoy or trust a program, they won’t do it. Motum achieved the opposite: people showed up, felt safe, and noticed meaningful changes in how they moved.

“We still need larger trials, but this pilot shows real potential. For many people with chronic lower back pain, a program like this could be the first step toward moving more freely and taking back control of their lives.”